Chapter 54 Dumbass "Eh" Today is Bai E's birthday. ...
Today is Bai E's birthday.
Early that morning, you fought several battles with the blankets, finally winning before dawn. You sneakily opened the door, tiptoed around Bai E who was fast asleep on the sofa, and planned to go to Xi Lian's house to carry out your "surprise plan".
The sun hadn't fully risen yet, and the morning mist enveloped the quiet fields. Several small rivers flowed around the fields, where hardworking villagers were already up and working. When they saw you from afar, they even put down their hoes and waved to you.
You quickly shook your head at them, put a finger to your lips, and widened your eyes to signal them to be quiet.
The villager looked at you, then remembered that today was a special day. He suddenly realized what was going on, immediately became serious, and made a sewing zipper motion with his hand to indicate that he understood.
You nodded in satisfaction.
Xi Lian was already waiting for you at the door. When she saw you coming, she smiled and welcomed you into the house. You muttered about why you were waiting outside, and then pulled her scarf up a little, wrapping it around her chin and her red nose.
"Team member Xilian, do you understand today's mission?!" you asked, hands on your hips.
“I completely understand, Captain.” Xi Lian still had a smile on her face, but she played along with your sudden urge to perform. “…Let me see, today’s goal is…to make a birthday cake for Team Member Bai E!”
What kind of cake would Bai Er like?
Logically speaking, you should know his tastes inside and out by now, having grown up with him. Unfortunately, Bai Er is far too indulgent towards you. No matter what kind of mess you make the cake into, or even if you completely stir it into a bunch of indescribable batter the first time you make it, he eats it without batting an eye and even praises you for your talent.
...It's to the point of complete spoiling.
However, this also means you have no idea whether he genuinely likes you or not. This guy is such a good actor.
You stand in front of the pile of materials, stumped.
*
To be honest, sleeping on a sofa isn't very comfortable. But for Bai E, a strong and healthy young man from the countryside, this difficulty is nothing.
This is an opportunity he's been begging you for ages! ...Sleeping in an environment that smells like you will make him feel safe.
But this morning, as usual, he opened his eyes, humming a little tune, and planned to pull you out of bed as usual, hoping to get a kiss if he was lucky—but when he walked into your room with a smile, he found the bed empty.
He paused for a moment, making sure there was really nothing on the crumpled sheets, before belatedly thinking, "Did you go out to play?"
But he quickly dismissed the idea himself. His stamina was obvious; although he was always soft in his arms, he didn't have much muscle and would never be so diligent as to get up so early.
Bai E hesitated for a moment, then belatedly realized that today seemed to be a special day.
He didn't care about these things. But you and Xilian valued them a lot, and you would bicker and celebrate together every year.
Thinking of this, he showed a helpless expression, sighed softly, but his heart was full of emotion.
So Bai Er decided to considerately pretend he hadn't noticed, retreated to the sofa, and casually picked up a book to read.
...
Time passed second by second, and the sun rose completely into the sky.
"well……"
This was also the twenty-third sigh Bai E had taken that morning.
One of his male friends, who had come to visit and was sitting next to him, couldn't take it anymore and kicked his calf.
He originally came to wish Bai E a happy birthday, but little did he know that this man was like a man covered in lice as soon as he couldn't see his girlfriend, and couldn't stay still for a moment.
"Didn't you already know their plans? Can't you even wait this long?" he said, exasperated. "Do you know that my mom says this kind of impatient behavior makes a man seem... uh, very pathetic!"
"How is that being unambitious?" Bai E retorted subconsciously, covering his face with the book, revealing a youthful, naive eagerness. "...It doesn't matter if I'm unambitious, she won't abandon me."
He paused, then added, "My partner said before that men should uphold male virtues, and I also believe that men should know how to consider their girlfriends, be available whenever they need them, and always be there for them—this is my girlfriend!"
My friend rolled his eyes.
Bai E ignored him. His mind was filled with details of their time together. He thought of your sly expression, your cute little temper, and the way your nose wrinkled slightly when you were being coquettish... His heart suddenly felt itchy and soft, as if it had turned into a drifting cloud.
What are you doing right now?
...Was she thinking about him too? Was she too tired...? What if she got burned by the oven? What if she got blisters from ill-fitting shoes like before? What if Xi Lian ran away while he wasn't around...? (God knows why he even thought of that.)
"I have to go and take a look," he decided immediately.
My friend said, "But you were only chased out by Xilian when you were clinging to the kitchen window half an hour ago. And, if I may be so bold, cracking an egg won't kill you."
Bai E choked for a moment.
He was still too young, he stubbornly insisted, "This is called reasonable concern..."
My friend replied expressionlessly, "Oh. If you're itchy, go take a shower."
Bai'er moved the tattered book aside, turned over, and buried her burning cheeks in the pillow that belonged to you on the sofa.
He's a little upset, why don't you let him come along?
The surprise plan is great, but... but he hasn't seen you for so long, it's like a kite that's lost its string, his soul has wandered off somewhere.
He didn't mean to complain about you; on the contrary, he was very touched by your consideration for him. He's just a little... disgusted with his own anxiety and insecurity.
But when I buried my face in the soft fabric, and your scent filled my nostrils, my anxious mood inexplicably calmed down.
...It smelled sweet, with a cool, stardust-like scent. He couldn't help but bring his face closer, his blue eyes glistening with tears. He felt as if a million ants were gnawing at his heart, unsure whether he wanted to yawn or was simply feeling sleepy.
Come to think of it... you've never seemed to express any possessiveness towards him.
You said that couples need personal space, otherwise they'll quickly get bored.
Bai E doesn't quite agree with your ideas, so how could he get tired of you? Every day when he wakes up, he sees a brand new you. Today's you will never be exactly the same as yesterday's you. Similarly, today's Bai E will love you a little more than yesterday's Bai E.
But he didn't say it. Because he vaguely sensed... that his need for you seemed a little too heavy.
Speaking of which, you used to say he was like a puppy, rushing in to kiss you and licking you all over the place, as if he couldn't wait to mark his territory.
He thought to himself, if you really want to own him like you own a puppy, that would be great—if you own a dog, you should at least leash it, name it, and announce to everyone, "This is my puppy," right?
...Although it sounds a bit perverted, he really wants you to put a leash on him too, and then announce to everyone that he belongs to you.
My friend was forced to listen to the teenager's thoughts, and his lips twitched.
"It's not just a little perverted, it's extremely perverted," he commented sharply.
Before Bai E could refute, a commotion erupted at the doorway.
"...Should we adjust the flavor a bit more?"
"Relax, relax, even if you turn it into a pile of garbage, Bai'e will still eat it with tears in her eyes~"
"Is it really that exaggerated...? And is the dress I'm wearing today a bit unsuitable for me? It's the first time I've ever worn this type of dress—"
"No way! It suits you perfectly! If you were even a little prettier, some birthday person would be so amazed they wouldn't be able to speak."
His friend raised an eyebrow and gave Bai E a look, indicating: Look, the person you're waiting for has arrived.
But he found that he didn't need to remind him at all. Bai E had already sat up in a flash, and even pretended to tidy his hair and collar, acting as if nothing had happened.
Friend: ...So pretentious.
*
The door opened.
The lights were off inside, and light streamed straight in from outside the door, the first thing Xi Lian stepped into.
The pink-haired girl's skirt fluttered slightly, revealing the silhouette of another girl behind her, who was previously hidden.
Over the past few long hours, Bai Er had imagined many times how you would step in.
...But he never imagined that the moment you actually stepped in, his heart would pound so hard.
You're wearing makeup. You look so beautiful. Your eyes are bright, and your lips look like they're coated with lip gloss, a shimmering effect from pure pink. Your new dress suits you so well… This is the first time I've seen you dressed up like this.
Everything was slowing down, as if Eulonis had suddenly passed through this place, performed a small miracle on him, and then left with a grin, leaving him alone here to suffer.
Bai Er excels in many science subjects, and his teachers often praise him for his talent in science. However, he racked his brains but could not explain why he was so dazed at the moment. It was simply too irrational!
Even after going through such intimate moments... he found himself still being moved by your smile.
Oh my god, I can't just stand there like that, say something—Bai Er, you're acting like an idiot.
His friend patted him on the shoulder and said, "Brother, breathe."
Xi Lian lowered her head and smiled, while you, holding the cake, also blushed.
You smiled, pursing your lips, "Happy birthday, Xiaobai!"
"...Huh? Ah, oh..." Bai'er was still stunned, but your voice finally brought her back to her senses. "...Pshaw, I mean, uh, partner, thank you! You look so beautiful today..."
"Hey, I'm still standing here," Xi Lian said, feigning a complaint. "This cake also owes a debt to someone else, Bai E, why are you only thinking about your partner?"
Bai E realized what was happening, scratched the back of his neck, and blushed as red as a boiled shrimp.
My friend shrugged. "I spoke for him. Thanks, Xilian. Just ignore this guy; he's like a complete idiot."
You ask softly, "This is a gift for you, do you like it?"
—You mean the cake.
Bai E's brain short-circuited.
His gaze fell on your skirt and your expectant eyes, and he stammered:
"I...I like it..."
—He was clearly not referring to the cake.
Xi Lian covered his face. His friend seemed to have choked on his saliva and coughed, then kicked him hard from behind.
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